Completing The Rotation
September 21, 2019
Full boat today for a morning sturgeon trip saw Chris, Jay, Ryan & Matt excited to catch their first dinosaurs. I just hoped with the strong NW winds, that we would be able to anchor up!
It was a pleasant surprise to see the winds weren’t as bad as I had anticipated when we headed out. Instead, the electric motor would provide us with a spot locked hold where I wanted to fish.
Our first attempt saw no results but our second spot had Chris locked up fairly quickly, only to end in disappointment. Somehow the fish came unbuttoned but not before we all had a good look as she breached. It was large!
I had to move again in order to get bit and this time it stayed pinned. Ryan managed to do battle with a really good fish that went airborne 3 times before coming to net. Along with the leaps, there was also a ten minute battle that had him feeling the pain. This was to be the best one of the day and he held it for a few pics before letting her go.
We stayed in this area for a while due to seeing plenty of life and sure enough, we were bit a third time. Matt did battle with another good fish that also took to the air, before sounding back to the bottom for a lengthy fight. After a gruelling battle, I finally netted his fish but it wasn’t over. He now had to hold it for the pictures. This was undoubtedly his largest fish ever and he needed proof that he had caught it. As with all sturgeon, it too was released unharmed afterwards!
With two down there were only two more to go and I hoped to get it done with our next move. Sure enough, the fish came within minutes of resetting in another location and it was game on! Jay was finally into his and after seeing it go airborne, I knew he was about to take a beating! For the next ten minutes he struggled to land his sturgeon and every time he thought he was gaining, it ran even more. Each time he reeled it closer, it took off in the opposite direction and peeled out more line. It was quite hilarious to hear him complain. He thought it would end quickly as he brought the fish nearer to the boat, but he was wrong. The fish was totally in control and it beat him up pretty good. After about ten minutes of this comedy show, I was finally able to net the fish for him and a sigh of relief was had. As funny as the fight was, having him hold the fish for a few pics was even funnier! Now he was in a whole other world of pain just trying to get a handle on this slippery beast. Somehow he did manage however and we shot several quick pics before sending her back to the depths.
Having been held by the electric motor in wind & current for more than four hours had finally taken its toll on the batteries and I was forced to drop anchor. This was the first time this season, but between the two, we did manage to hold long enough for another bite. Chris was about to get a little redemption after losing the first fish of the day!
I don’t know who was happier, but I was definitely glad to see a full rotation in the boat today. Chris was tight to another good one and fought it like a champ. Multiple long runs were had but it never breached. This battle was long as it remained down for the entire fight. Almost ten minutes later, I had it in the net and ready for more pics. Chris had no problem holding his fish and he released it soon after. We had gotten it done!
Although we tried for another bite, it wasn’t to be. I was definitely happy with the four fish they had landed and we packed up and called it a day. I had extended their morning trip by about an hour and it had paid off in the end. Everyone had their time on the rod and they had all felt the power of these sturgeon. I really couldn’t have asked for anything more!!
